[Federal Register: August 16, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 159)]
[Notices]
[Page 50000-50001]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16au00-86]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
in the Possession of the Tongass National Forest, U.S. Forest Service,
Petersburg, AK
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9,
of the completion of an inventory of human remains in the possession of
the
[[Page 50001]]
Tongass National Forest, U.S. Forest Service, Petersburg, AK.
This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2 (c). The
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these Native
American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations within this
notice.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by U.S. Forest
Service professional staff in consultation with representatives of the
Petersburg Indian Association and the Central Council of Tlingit and
Haida Indian Tribes.
At an unknown date, human remains representing one individual were
recovered from the coast of Mitkof Island that faces Wrangell Narrows
by an unidentified individual from Petersburg, AK. The remains were
donated to Tongass National Forest, U.S. Forest Service in 1986. The
condition of the remains suggests that they were less than 500 years
old. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects
are present. The archeological record of southeastern Alaska documents
cultural continuity over the last 4,000 years, demonstrating that the
Stikine Tlingit territory has included Mitkof Island throughout that
period.
Based on the results of morphometric analysis, the human remains
are determined to be Native American. Ethnographic evidence indicates
that Mitkof Island, where the remains were found, was within the
traditional territory of the Stikine Tlingit at the time of deposition
of the remains.
The Petersburg Indian Association represents the Stikine Tlingit
for the purposes of repatriation of human remains from this part of
Alaska. The Petersburg Indian Association has identified Mitkof Island
as part of the traditional occupation territory for the Stikine
Tlingit. There is no evidence to indicate otherwise.
Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the U.S.
Forest Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2(d)(1), the
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of one
individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the U.S. Forest
Service have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2(e), there is
a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced
between these Native American human remains and the Petersburg Indian
Association, representing the Stikine Tlingit. This notice has been
sent to officials of the Petersburg Indian Association and the Central
Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes. Representatives of any
other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated
with these human remains should contact Carol Jorgensen, Assistant
Forest Supervisor, Tongass National Forest, P.O. Box 309, Petersburg,
AK, 99833, telephone (907) 772-3841, before September 15, 2000.
Repatriation of the human remains to the Petersburg Indian Association,
representing the Stikine Tlingit, may begin after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.
Dated: August 10, 2000.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 00-20826 Filed 8-15-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F